Arsenal eager to avoid four successive away defeats to Magpies.
Newcastle United vs. Arsenal kicks off at 16:30 [GMT+1] on Sunday, September 28, at the St. James' Park.
Newcastle United host Arsenal at St James’ Park in what promises to be a high-intensity Premier League clash between two sides with very different recent trajectories. The Magpies sit in 13th place after five rounds of Premier League football, having been able to pick up only 6 points thanks to a blunt attack. Last weekend’s goalless draw with Bournemouth is a testimony of lack of form in the final third, one that leaves Newcastle with only three goals after five games [DLDWD]. Furthermore, Newcastle have won just one of their last seven Premier League games (D3 L3), a run that started with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal. They've failed to score in five of these seven games, as many times as they had in their previous 41 league games. With those underwhelming numbers, hosting Arsenal will certainly be a point of concern for the Magpies. However, Eddie Howe’s side can draw confidence from their recent home record against Arsenal. Newcastle have won each of their last three home meetings with the Gunners in all competitions, all by clean sheets. They last managed four straight home victories over Arsenal back in August 1969, making this encounter an opportunity to match a record that has stood for over half a century. Fortunately, Newcastle have made up for their lack of attacking prowess with defensive solidity. The Magpies have kept four clean sheets in their opening five league games, conceding only in the dramatic 3-2 defeat at Liverpool and three goals overall. A 4—3—3 formation with Gordon, Elanga and Woltemade in attack is expected.
Arsenal [WWLWD] trail league leaders Liverpool by five points, having accumulated 10 points following last weekend’s 1-1 with Manchester City. Now Mikel Arteta will be hoping playing catch-up with the Reds will receive a huge boost thanks to their resilience away from home. Since May 2022, they have lost just one of their last 16 Premier League away matches (W8 D7), that defeat coming most recently at Anfield against Liverpool. History, however, suggests St James’ Park is a tricky venue for them: under Arteta, they have lost four away games to Newcastle in all competitions, with only Manchester City proving a tougher trip (5). Defeat on Sunday would see Arsenal equal an unwanted record of four successive away defeats to the Magpies dating back to 1969. Viktor Gyökeres is expected at the attacking end of Arsenal’s 4—2—3—1 set-up. A knee injury will keep Noni Madueke out of Sunday’s meeting.